who wrote amazing grace

The hymn "Amazing Grace" was written by John Newton, an English Anglican clergyman and former slave trader. He wrote the lyrics in 1772, which were first published in 1779 as part of the "Olney Hymns," a collection he wrote with poet William Cowper. Newton wrote "Amazing Grace" to accompany a New Year's Day sermon in 1773, and the hymn reflects themes of redemption and the joy of receiving God's grace. The familiar tune associated with the hymn today, called "New Britain," was paired with the lyrics in 1835 by American Baptist song leader William Walker.